If you want to win money betting on sports, there are a few things that you should know. First, you should never bet more than you can afford to lose. This is a good rule to follow regardless of what you’re betting on. Second, you should seek advice from winning sports bettors and research the games you’re betting on. This will help you make smarter bets and increase your chances of winning.

Many new bettors are astonished to learn that they should not simply pick the winner of a game and place a wager on it. Instead, they should focus on identifying teams that offer value in the form of odds. This approach removes the guesswork and makes bets much more profitable over the long run.

Betting on sports involves a wide variety of bet types and terms. The most common is wagering against the spread, in which a number is set that favors one team over another. In order to beat the line, bettors must assess the likelihood of both teams winning and then compare that probability to the odds offered by the sportsbook.

Another popular bet type is the total, which refers to a combined number of points, goals, rebounds, wins, saves, birdies, aces or any other statistical category in a game. Bettors can choose to bet over a total or under a total, which is based on the number of categories expected to exceed or fall short of the set amount. The potential payout is always listed on the bet slip, whether you’re placing your bet online or in person at a retail shop.